On Monday 1 July MPs will debate a petition urging the Government make online homophobia a specific criminal offence. Daniel Zeichner MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, will open the debate.
Bobby Norris states: “As a gay man I find it devastating how members of the LGBT community are still subjected to homophobic abuse online.
“Just because I am on TV I don’t think that makes it acceptable to be sent homophobic messages and comments on social media platforms.
“Nobody should have to receive these comments.”
Mr Norris adds, “I won’t go into detail as to the various names I have been called, but this should not be acceptable and can have an impact on people’s mental health and has certainly helped in making my anxiety and low self-esteem worse by receiving them.”
In response to the petition, the Government said, “The Government recognises the harm that homophobic online messages can cause. We are working cross-Government to challenge inequality and make the UK’s online environment a safer place for everyone.”
Monday’s debate will provide an opportunity for MPs to question a Government Minister directly on this topic.
In January, the Petitions Committee published its report into online abuse and the experience of disabled people. The inquiry found that the current laws around online abuse are not fit for purpose. The report can be read here
Shocking new research shows that 36 per cent of corporations that are utilizing the rainbow flag for Pride month are not giving back to the LGBT+ community.
Research conducted by marketing experts, Rebootonline.com have noticed that only 64 per cent of companies undertaking promotional activity surrounding Pride are giving back to the community – while the research shows that nearly 90 per cent of the LGBT+ community feel that all brands using Pride should donate to LGBT+ causes.
Marketing experts Rebootonline.com noticed this spike in Pride campaigns by brands and decided to investigate their commitment to the LGBT+ cause, and how those in the community feel about the increase in ‘corporate Pride’. To do this they looked at 122 companies, of varying sizes, to see what LGBT+-related marketing they were doing, whether this was the first time they have done something for Price, and whether they were donating any proceeds to relevant charities.
The marketing agency also took into account a survey of 250 LGBT+ respondents, answering questions on how they felt about ‘Rainbow Capitalism’.
There has indeed been an increase in 2019 of brands taking part in Pride month. The results revealed that almost a third of the companies (29%) analysed had never done an LGBT-related marketing campaign before 2019.
Furthermore, only 64% of those with a campaign for Pride this year donated to charitable LGBT+ causes. This has caused a stir in the LGBT+ community, with 87% of those questioned stating that ALL corporations should be donating proceeds to relevant charities.
The survey also revealed that 9% of participants stated that they would go as far as purposefully NOT purchasing brand Pride tie-ins.
This is perhaps a wise choice as, upon further investigation of each company’s CEI (Corporate Equality Index) score (when available), over 1 in 10 companies scored less than 80% for their “steps to ensure greater equity for LGBT+ workers and their families in the form of comprehensive policies, benefits and practices”, with the majority of these failing to provide “equivalency in same and different-sex domestic partner medical and soft benefits” and showing a lack of “equal health coverage for transgender individuals without exclusion for medically necessary care.”
Rainbow Bandwagon
CREDIT: TheGayUK
Clothing brand H&M was given a meagre CEI score of 45% by HRC. Yet they have participated in “corporate pride” this year, with their ‘pride collection’- although they are donating 10% of their proceeds to “support the work of the United Nations’ Free & Equal campaign”- unlike 34% of other companies jumping on the rainbow bandwagon without giving back.
Other findings from the survey conducted revealed that 84% felt that they felt “positively” about these branded Pride campaigns, with one stating “celebration of LGBTQ is great to raise awareness, especially to younger generations”.
The LGBT+ community were unanimous in thinking that corporations should “do more throughout the year to help LGBT+ causes, rather than just for Pride month”, with 96% of respondents agreeing with this sentiment.
Speaking about the split, Davey said, “We were honest with each other, especially when it was difficult – and pushed each other’s boundaries in ways that served our evolution”.
Chad used his Instagram account to post a picture of himself against a painted set of wings and used the caption, “I spread my wings & learn how to fly”.
A woman and her girlfriend say they were subjected to a frightening Ryanair flight from hell when a group of thugs started calling her “Dyke” and a “lesbo”.
A woman and her girlfriend have yet to receive a satisfying response from Ryanair after she was allegedly subjected to homophobic and misogynistic chants from a group of men on a flight from Stansted to Seville on the 19th June. She accuses the airline of not caring about women or LGBTQ+ people.
Social Media Manager, Laura Muldoon described a horrific flight in which she says that a group of drunken men shouted, used profanity and homophobic slurs against passengers on the flight. Ms Muldoon said although she complained to the flight attendant at the time of the incident but they were unable to do anything about the behaviour.
She said that the men even started to blow up condoms and getting their arses out in front of other passengers. When she turned around to the men to complain, they apparently sent her a small bottle of wine to apologise for the disruption, which Ms Muldoon “politely refused” – that’s apparently when their behaviour turned sour towards Ms Muldoon.
At the time, Ms Muldoon tweeted a picture of the passengers she alleges were disruptive, which was retweeted thousands of time. She wrote, “First-holiday snap! Of this bunch of lads who chanted that I was a “miserable b*tch”, “d**e” and “lesbo” (very well observed!) on @Ryanair flight 12.27 from Stansted to Seville today”.
Although Ms Muldoon did complain to Ryanair over her ordeal via an online system, she tweeted that she had received a “generic” response from the airline, which stated that they were proud of their “high standards and professionalism”
I’ve been waiting while I took this up with @Ryanair directly but their generic response shows they don’t care about women, LGBTQ+ people or in fact anyone and my worry is, businesses like this set the agenda for our whole country. #dearcustomerpic.twitter.com/xVvi4FrxZg
Police in Liverpool are investigating after it was reported that at around 9.20pm, on Saturday, two men, both in their 30s were walking down Manningham Road in the direction of Priory Road, when they were approached by three male youths. The youths made homophobic insults towards them, before, it is alleged, one of them produced a knife and assaulted the men.
One of the victims sustained injuries to his head and neck described as serious but non-life threatening while the second sustained a minor hand injury. They have both been taken to hospital for treatment and were left incredibly shaken by the incident.
The offenders are described as between 12 and 15 years old, with one wearing a dark bubble coat and one riding a bike.
Detectives are urging any witnesses to come forward.
Detective Inspector Tara Denn said, “This was an appalling and unprovoked attack on two men simply making their way home and we are working tirelessly to locate those responsible.
“Two men have been left with significant injuries tonight and the hate and violence that has been inflicted on them is simply unacceptable and won’t be tolerated on the streets of Merseyside.
“I would ask anyone in Manningham Road or the surrounding areas this evening to please come forward with any information. You may have witnessed the incident or youths making off from the scene, or even have CCTV or dashcam footage, and I would urge you to please get in touch with police. Likewise, if you know who is responsible for this crime, please do the right thing and let us know.
“There is absolutely no place for hate crime in society and we know how much of a massive impact it has on victims. I want to reach out to the LBGT community, who I know will be deeply saddened by this news and reassure you that we stand with you and if you report such incidents to the police, we will do our utmost to support and protect you and bring those responsible to justice.
“We are passionate about maintaining the right of all our communities to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect and by working closely with our partners will continue to work to eradicate hate crime of all forms.
“Victims can report directly to the police where experienced hate crime officers will treat them with sensitivity and compassion, or via third party reporting centres in fire stations, citizen advice bureaus and hospitals where the information will be passed on.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside PoliceCC. You can also call 101 quoting incident reference 19100328734 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
Because the petition reached over 100,000 signatures it will now be discussed in the houses of parliament on the 1st July 2019, which anyone will be able to watch on the official YouTube channel for Parliament.
Working cross-Government to challenge inequality
Responding to the petition a spokesperson for the Government wrote, “The Government recognises the harm that homophobic online messages can cause. We are working cross-Government to challenge inequality and make the UK’s online environment a safer place for everyone”.
In his original petition, Bobby wrote, that he was “devastated” by homophobic abused levelled at the LGBT+ community and wanted it to be debated in parliament. He continued, “Just because I am on TV I don’t think that makes it acceptable to be sent homophobic messages/ comments on social media platforms.
“Nobody should have to receive these comments.
“I won’t go into detail as to the various names I have been called, but this should not be acceptable and can have an impact on people’s mental health and has certainly helped in making my anxiety and low self-esteem worse by receiving them”
Cops in Stoke On Trent are investigating after teens who attended the pride event are attacked on the street.
Officers from the Staffordshire police force are investigating a hate crime after a group of teenagers allegedly verbally abused and attacked another group of teens who were making their way home from Stoke On Trent Pride.
One of the victims was also punched and kicked in the attack, according to the police report.
Another victim claims that the attackers told them to “kill themselves” as well as using anti-gay slurs against the LGBT+ group.
The entire incident was filmed and shows scenes of a horrific and vile attack on members on the young LGBT+ friends – all aged between 14 and 16 who live in the local area.
The attackers can be heard using homophobic slurs against their victims.
We're investigating a report of a hate crime at Stoke-on-Trent Pride on Saturday and would like to reassure the public that lines of enquiry are currently being followed and witnesses are being spoken to. Anyone with information should call 101. More here: https://t.co/E3W4twCMClpic.twitter.com/wXhwUtXzL6
— Staffordshire Police (@StaffsPolice) June 18, 2019
According to The Mirror, the teens were attacked after leaving the annual Stoke On Trent pride over the weekend and were taunted and attacked as they tried to get away in a taxi.
A 14-year-old girl, who identifies as bisexual, told StokeonTrentLive, “We’d had a great time at Pride then all of a sudden this group appeared and started chasing after the taxi. They pulled open the door and start attacking them.
“There were girls screaming at us. They told us to ‘go kill yourselves’ and said we should die. One of them shouted ‘faggots’. I’ve had a few things said to me before but nothing like this. It was mainly girls but there were some boys too. It was right outside the YMCA.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 911 of June 15.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
One Ciara fan, with the username, Lucas_Norton101, who took to social media to criticise the singer, wrote, “Ciara. You shouldn’t be doing this. We respect u too much, Being at a gay wedding is one thing and joining them together is, even more, a greater sin. We love you but this wrong”.
Ciara took the complaint in her stride and offer the most epic clap back, saying, “Firstly Christians don’t judge. Secondly, #YouNeedToCalmDown.”
Lucas’ account has now disappeared from Twitter.
Perez Hilton commented on Ciara snap back saying, “I can’t calm down!!! Ciara’s response to a gay hater who criticized her for appearing in Taylor Swift’s power queer music video for You Need To Calm Down is big Jesus energy!! God loves all!”
This year’s epic PRIDE anthem has been released -and its come from Taylor Swift, in the form of You Need To Calm Down.
If you’ve not yet seen the video, you have to, right now… STAT. It has already gained 18 million views in less than 24 hours. It might also be the most epic music video of all time, with over 20 famous faces, including Taylor’s pop rival, Katy Perry.
Here’s everybody who stars in the ‘You Need To Calm Down’ video, which of course was created along with Todrick Hall.
The video stars a host of RuPaul Drag Queens – and the Mumma herself, RuPaul.
Featuring appearances by (in alphabetical order):
A’keria Davenport (RuPaul’s Drag Race)
Adam Lambert (Singer)
Adam Rippon (Sports star)
Adore Delano (RuPaul’s Drag Race)
Antoni Porowski (Queer Eye)
Billy Porter (Actor, Singer)
Bobby Berk (Queer Eye)
Chester Lockhart (Recording artist)
Ciara (Singer)
Delta Work (RuPaul’s Drag Race)
Dexter Mayfield (Plus size model advocate)
Ellen Degeneres (X – Men)
Hannah Hart (Internet star)
Hayley Kiyoko (Singer)
Jade Jolie (Taylor Swift lookie-like)
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family)
Jonathan Van Ness (Queer Eye)
Justin Mikita (Lawyer, husband of Jesse Tyler Ferguson)
An Irish man was found dead in a luxury flat he was housesitting after inviting a man for a dating app hook up.
Adrian Murphy, 43, was found dead in a flat in Battersea, London, which he had been house sitting. It is thought that he may have laid dead for up to three days before he was discovered, on the 4th of June.
The man, from Kilkenny in Ireland, had apparently organised a hook up on a dating app and has the hallmarks of a similar attack on a 40-year-old man in east-London just days beforehand.
The flat in which he was staying had been ransacked and property allegedly was stolen.
It is thought that he may have been drugged, police are still awaiting upon a toxicology report from Mr Murphy’s autopsy.
A post-mortem examination at St George’s Hospital on Wednesday, 6 June failed to determine a cause of death and detectives are now awaiting the result of further tests.
Arrests made
A Detective with the Metropolitan Police, Rob Pack confirmed that a 24-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were arrested on the 12th June on suspicion of murder, rape and theft.
A 24-year-old man [A] was arrested late on Tuesday, 12 June, on suspicion of murder, rape and theft. He has since been bailed to attend a police station at a later date.
A 17-year-old girl [B] was arrested earlier on 12 June on suspicion of murder and theft. She has been released under investigation.
Detective Pack said, “We have linked these two incidents through our suspects and our enquiries continue to establish the exact circumstances.
“We know the victim in the Walthamstow incident met the male suspect through a social networking site and we are investigating whether there is a similar connection in Mr Murphy’s death.
“Both incidents happened over a short period of time and thorough enquiries have led us to make these prompt arrests. However, there is a possibility other offences may have been committed before 30 May.
“Has anything similar happened to you, or someone you know? A meeting arranged online that has led to intoxication, robbery and possibly sexual assault. Please have the confidence to approach my team so we can investigate what happened to you. You can also contact third party organisations such as the charity Galop. You will be taken seriously and treated with sensitivity.
“I would also be keen to talk to anyone who saw anything suspicious on the afternoon of 4 June around Lombard Road, anything that looked out of place.”
Enquiries have linked this incident to an earlier allegation of rape at an address in E17 on Thursday, 30 May at around 13:00hrs.
Similarly to the Stephen Port murders, in which the serial killer drugged, raped and the murdered his victims, he found on gay daying apps, the 40-year-old victim who survived his ordeal, believes he was drugged by a man he had invited to his flat after meeting him on a social networking platform.
He became unconscious and was found later that day by a friend who raised the alarm.
The victim was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital and has since been discharged.
Anyone who can help is asked to contact 101, quoting CAD 6467/4 June, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or the charity Galop or via their Shoutline on 020 7704 2040.
Falcon Studios has reported on social media that one of its stars, Jay Dymel has passed away after reportedly being placed on life support in hospital. He worked with the studios Falcon and Naked Sword during 2019 – his latest scene was released on Naked Sword last week.
Falcon Studios took to social media to write, “It is with great sadness to inform the passing of @jay_dymel today! Our thoughts go out to Jay’s family, friends and partner @RyanStoneXxX”
The cause of his death is unknown, although it is known that the performer was in hospital and placed on life support before his death. He had been active on social media up to three days before being in a coma, when he was celebrating Pride Month with his partner Ryan Stone.
Ryan wrote a heartbreaking message on Twitter following the news of Jay’s death saying, “Words can not describe what is going through my head. I just want him to come back.
“I want him to be next to me when I wake up. I want to kiss him. I want to hug him and I just want him. I love you, baby, you’re everywhere. In everything I do. Everyday”.
